FACTORS INFLUENCING EASTERN REDCEDAR SEEDLING SURVIVAL ON RANGELAND

Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) is the most rapidly expandi ng woody species on rangeland in the Great Plains. Reasons for the exp ansion and management solutions have not been determined. The objectiv e of this study was to determine the effect of year of establishment, grazing impacts, and aspect on the survival of eastern redcedar seedli ngs. Subplots of 10 transplanted eastern redcedar seedlings were repli cated at 2 sites in west-central Nebraska. Plots were established in 1 987 and 1988 under 3 different grazing levels: actively grazed, active ly grazed until 1987 and then fenced from grazing, and not grazed for greater-than-or-equal-to 50 years. Split-plots within the 3 grazing le vels were established on 3 different aspects: north-facing, south-faci ng, and flat. Seedling survival was evaluated 6, 18, and 30 months aft er establishment period. The year that the seedling was established in fluenced seedling survival after 18 months. Grazing effects and aspect were significant factors in the survival of eastern redcedar seedling s for all 3 evaluation periods. Highest survival for grazing effects o ccurred where eastern redcedar seedlings were transplanted into plots that were grazed until 1987 and then fenced (57% +/- 1.5%). Lowest sur vival rates concerning grazing were for areas that were not grazed for greater-than-or-equal-to 50 years (40% +/- 3.0%). North-facing slopes had the highest survival after 30 months (65% +/- 2.4%). South-facing slopes had the lowest survival after 30 months (34% +/- 2.9%). Land m anagers may be able to reduce eastern redcedar seedling establishment on grazed rangelands through different grazing practices.